Life-of-Muhammad

Life of Muhammad sa 115Excepting those of the idolaters with whom you haveentered into a treaty and who have not subsequently failedyou in anything nor aided anyone against you. So fulfil tothese the treaty you have made with them till their term.Surely, Allah loves those who are righteous (9: 4).Pagans, who enter into a pact with Muslims, keepthe pact and do not help the enemy against Muslims,are to have reciprocal treatment from Muslims. Pietyrequires that Muslims should fulfil their part of a pact inthe letter as well as the spirit.(7) Of an enemy at war with Muslims who wishes tostudy the Message of Islam, the Qur’an orders:And if anyone of the idolaters ask protection of thee, granthim protection, so that he may hear the word of Allah:then convey him to his place of security. That is becausethey are a people who have no knowledge (9: 6).That is to say, if any of those at war with Muslimsseek refuge with Muslims in order to study Islam andponder over its Message, they are to have refuge withMuslims for such time as may be reasonably necessaryfor such a purpose.(8) Of prisoners of war, the Qur’an teaches:It does not behove a Prophet that he should have captivesuntil he engages in a regular fighting in the land. Youdesire the goods of the world, while Allah desires for youthe Hereafter. And Allah is Mighty, Wise (8: 68).That is to say, it does not become a Prophet to makeprisoners of his enemy save as a result of regular warinvolving much bloodshed. The system of makingprisoners of enemy tribes without war and bloodshedpractised until—and even after—the advent of Islam, ishere made unlawful. Prisoners can be taken only fromcombatants and after a battle.(9) Rules for the release of prisoners are also laiddown. Thus we have:Then afterwards either release them as a favour or bytaking ransom—until the war lays down its burdens (47:5).